Bern Hudson Bike Helmet Review, 2024

As a desert dweller, I can attest that on bright, clear days, sometimes sunglasses just aren’t enough. For similar situations, the Bern Hudson helmet includes a visor that can be flipped up or down as needed for better visibility. In my experience, this makes the helmet feet much more like a ball cap with a bit more bulk and a chin strap. With the ability to be easily removed and washed, this visor is functional – and it just looks cool!

Speaking of looking cool, the Hudson (as with most of Bern’s helmet models) is available in a variety of color options. The brand’s youth line offers the most pizzazz, but the Hudson comes in six matte and satin hues including Black, White, Sand, Mint, Hi-Viz, and Turquoise. I specifically requested the Hi-Viz helmet – and jeez! The photos did not do its eye-catching color justice. It’s impossible to miss.

When it comes to fit and function, the helmet fared generally well in terms of comfort, with one major caveat. The helmet seemed to be made for those with exceptionally large domes, and its fit was significantly roomier than expected. As someone with a relatively large cranium, I expected to need the Large size, but I’d likely have been fine with a Medium, as the Large rested low and folded my ears. The Hudson also seemed inconsistent when compared with the Bern Major that we also tested simultaneously; a Large in that model fit my head perfectly.

To each their own though. Griffin from our team found a better fit here with the Hudson than with the Major. As the one with the biggest head in our office (his words) he preferred the sizing of the Hudson.

Otherwise, the padding, adjustability, and overall comfort seemed to be great. I appreciated that there was a removable top pad, and the visor worked far better at keeping the sun out of my eyes than the integrated forward-pointing brim that some other helmets feature.

One feature of the Hudson that separates it from many of Berns other models is its removable, micro-USB rechargeable “clickmount” LED light – though unfortunately I was unable to test this feature as it was not included in our shipment. With water resistance, an advertised 10-hour battery life and three light modes, it seems a useful addition that is

Bottom line: the Hudson is best for riders who need a roomier fit, and who want excellent safety ratings paired with both flashy and muted color options.

Specs and Features

• Sizing: 52 – 61.5cm (20 ½” – 24 ¼”) comes in three sizes (S, M, L)
• MIPS: Yes
• Number of vents: 13